When Is the Best Time to Plant Baby Easter Lilies?

Easter Lilies

• Easter lilies, members of the Lilium longiflorum family, hail from Japan, but made the trip to the U.S. in the 1940s. The plants produce large stark-white flowers in trumpet shapes, and grow from flowering bulbs that live for years.

Bulb Planting

• If you want your Easter lilies in time for Easter, plant the bulbs early. Gardeners in warm U.S. Department of Agriculture Growing Zones 8 and up can plant their bulbs in fall, before the first frost, for early-spring growth. Gardeners in colder growing zones can force Easter lilies to bloom early by planting them in pots up to February and keeping them in bright, warm spots for the winter.

Seedling Planting

• If you have Easter lilies that have already sprouted and have foliage, or you're transplanting young lilies from pots to the outdoor garden, shoot for a late-spring planting to protect the seedlings from frost. Wait for the ground to thaw and plant the Easter lilies in permanent locations to start the summer growing season.

Growing Needs

• Easter lilies require set conditions for healthy growth and blooming, regardless of planting time or situation. Plant bulbs or seedlings in spots that get full sun for eight hours every day, or keep the pots in areas that get full sun or artificial light. Make sure that every lily gets complete drainage at all times. Give Easter lilies deep, crumbly soil, mixed with compost, to allow for both drainage and easy root expansion.